RI gubernatorial debate to include independent Chafee and Moderate Party candidate Block

The Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund is hosting the next debate among the candidates for governor.

“The purpose of this debate is to give candidates an opportunity to address a wide range of issues that affect the minority community’s sustainability and livability in our state,” including education, economic progress, affordable housing, minority inclusion, civil rights and immigration, Doris M. De Los Santos, president of the Latino advocacy organization wrote the candidates.

Only one candidate so far has indicated he will not take part in the Wednesday night forum: state Treasurer Frank Caprio.

Independent Lincoln D. Chafee, Moderate Party candidate Ken Block, Democratic Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch and Republicans Victor Moffitt and John Robitaille have confirmed to Political Scene their plans to attend.

The debate is cosponsored by The Unity Coalition, Young Voices. The media sponsors are Latino Public Radio, Poder 1110, Latina 100.3, Providence en Espanol and RIFuture.org. The public is asked to RSVP by sending an e-mail to elections2010@rilatinocivicfund.org

The debate will not include one other independent candidate who is listed on Politics1.com as being in the race, Todd Giroux.

H/T to Ken Block‘s Moderate Party campaign, who sent us this media advisory:

Providence, RI- Ken Block, Moderate Party Candidate for Governor, will participate in a public forum and debate hosted by the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund (RILCF).

The RILCF was established in 2002 with the purpose of promoting the civic education, registration and participation of Latinos in the state of Rhode Island.

The 2010 RILCF gubernatorial debate is presented in collaboration with The Unity Coalition and Young Voices and with media partners Latino Public Radio, Poder 1110, Providence en Espanol newspaper, Latina 100.3 FM, and RIFuture.org.

Warwick, RI–At tonight’s debate, Ken Block, Moderate Party candidate for Governor, shared his vision for a new Rhode Island. Block outlined his plan to clean up and fix the state.

“We need to ensure that every Rhode Islander, regardless of their background, has the same opportunities to succeed in this state,” said Ken Block. “It means equipping every school, rural or urban, with the best teachers possible so every student has the chance to reach their full potential. It means changing the teachers contract to allow flexibility in how we teach our children. And it means mobilizing the minority community to become involved in the political process, whether it be by voting or running for office.”

Block built a business that saved Texas a billion dollars in welfare fraud and prevention. As Governor, he plans to utilize this same technology to remove waste and fraud from programs such as Medicaid. “If we ensure that the money goes where it is supposed to, then we might not have to make cuts to these programs at all,” said Block.

“It was clear that the audience responded to Ken’s message,” said Campaign Director Christine Hunsinger. “This shows us that Rhode Island is ready to expect more from their government and Ken Block is the right choice for governor. ”

The debate, sponsored by the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund, a nonprofit organization with the purpose of promoting the civic education, registration, and participation of Latinos in the state of Rhode Island, began at 6pm. It was held at the CCRI Liston Campus auditorium, 1 Hilton Street, Providence.

Block participated in a meet-and-greet reception with attendees, at 5:30pm prior to the debate, giving individuals a chance to ask him about his platform on an individual level.